Google Pixel 8 Pro Intro
Google is on a quest to make not just any smartphone, but one with AI inside and… well, extra smarts! So it’s no surprise that the Pixel 8 Pro leans heavy on new AI features: a Magic Editor that lets you reframe your photos and remove objects, Audio Eraser that gets rid of wind noise and other annoying sounds, and so on. But can these cool little features sell a new phone to people, or are they more of a gimmick that you can kind of overlook?
*Disclaimer: You may notice review scores have changed on PhoneArena! Since September 20th, we have started using a new scoring system and we will soon explain what exactly goes into this new PhoneArena review score. Stay tuned.
What’s new about the Pixel 8 Pro
- New Tensor G3 system chip
- The brightest screen ever on a Pixel
- Upgrades across all cameras
- Up to 1TB of storage
- 7 years of Android OS updates (yes, really!)
- A thermometer (of all things)
- $100 higher starting price
- AI tricks/gimmicks like Magic Editor, Best Take, and Audio Magic Eraser
Table of Contents:
Pixel 8 Pro what is inside the box (Image credit – PhoneArena)
First things first, the Pixel 8 Pro ships with a slim box which immediately tells the trained eye that you won’t find a charging brick inside.
What you do get is a white USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM tool, an adapter for data transfer, as well as user manual. Oh, and the phone of course!
Google Pixel 8 Pro Specs
Notable upgrades on the Pixel 8 Pro specs sheet include the brighter OLED display, the new Tensor G3 system chip, and, as Google describes it, “a fully upgraded pro-level triple rear camera system”. While the battery capacity is more or less the same as last year, the charging speed has been bumped from 23 to 30 watts.
Specs | Google Pixel 8 Pro |
---|---|
Size and Weight | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm 213g |
Display | 6.7″ OLED 1344×2992 pixels 1-120Hz, 2400 nits max brightness |
Processor | Google Tensor G3 Samsung 4nm LPP |
RAM, Storage and Price | 12/128 GB for $999 12/256 GB for $1,059 12/512 GB for $1,119 12/1 TB for $1,219 *LPDDR5X RAM |
Software | Android 14 |
Cameras | 50MP main *1.2um pixels 48MP ultrawide 48MP 5X zoom 10.5MP selfie |
Battery Size | 5,050 mAh |
Charging Speeds | 30W wired 23W wireless |
Google Pixel 8 Pro Design & Colors
Mostly the same looks, but the new blue color is lovely
As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Google’s design language is in full force with the Pixel 8 Pro, with the signature camera strip at the back making it clear this ain’t no Galaxy or iPhone. In other words, Google’s new best phone looks and feels a lot like the 7 Pro.
For the Pixel 8 Pro you have three colors to pick from:
- Bay – a cheerful shade of light blue
- Porcelain – a light beige color we know from the Pixel Tablet
- Obsidian – the color closest to black you can get this year
![Pixel 8 Pro comes in three colors (Image credit - PhoneArena - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_300_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Pixel 8 Pro comes in three colors (Image credit – PhoneArena
It is nice of Google to offer color-matching cases, Pixel Watch 2 Bands, and even Pixel Buds Pro, regardless of which Pixel 8 Pro color you pick.
The Pixel 8 Pro is IP68-certified, much like most other phones of its category. This means it is protected against dust and water ingress at a depth of 1.5 meters (5 feet) for 30 minutes. And if it breaks, Google has partnered with iFixit to provide parts, tools, and guides to anyone who wants to repair their Pixel 8 Pro at home, DIY style.
Google Pixel 8 Display
Super Actua Display – that’s one we haven’t heard before. It’s the fancy name for the 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display that the Pixel 8 Pro is rocking.
In case you’re curious, Actua does not refer to a single display feature. Rather, it encompasses a set of qualities which together aim to provide real-life clarity. The screen supports 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, while a brightness of 1600 nits HDR/2400 peak enables it to display Ultra HDR images even in direct sunlight. This is a record breaking number, just keep in mind that the phone can only stay that bright for a few minutes before dimming back to lower numbers.
Keep in mind that our brightness numbers are slightly different than the official figures because we use a different method of measuring brightness (at 100% white). For all the rest, color calibration and balance are about the same as the previous model.
![Pixel 8 Pro on the left, Pixel 7 Pro with a curved screen on the right (Image Credit - PhoneArena) - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_188_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Pixel 8 Pro on the left, Pixel 7 Pro with a curved screen on the right (Image Credit – PhoneArena)
Oh, and did I mention that the screen on the Pixel 8 Pro is now completely flat! That’s good news in our books, and you can also see that “chin” bezel on the bottom has been reduced, so the phone looks a bit more stylish than before.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Camera
Hardware upgrades and new software features for extra versatility and creativity
![You now have a singular and much bigger camera cutout (Image credit - PhoneArena) - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_538_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
You now have a singular and much bigger camera cutout (Image credit – PhoneArena)
The camera has always been one of Pixel phones’ strongest assets. On the Pixel 8 Pro we have the same 50MP main camera as last year, but with 21% better light sensitivity, faster low-light autofocus, and Dual Exposure tech meant to improve video shot in more challenging situations.
The 48 MP ultrawide camera gathers 105% more light and focuses 30% closer for improved Macro Focus shots. The 48MP telephoto lens gets a 56% boost in light sensitivity and provides 5x optical zoom. 10x optical-quality sensor-crop zoom is also an option. The 10.5MP selfie camera has autofocus now, which is neat.
![Pixel 8 Pro camera app now has totally separate photo and video modes - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_966_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Pixel 8 Pro camera app now has totally separate photo and video modes
So has image quality changed when using the good old regular shooting modes and not AI?
Well, you can see the comparisons right here:
Or you can just glance at the sample photos we captured with the Pixel 8 Pro in various conditions and using all of the cameras.
Pixel 8 Pro Camera Samples
The annoying lens flare issue (a blurry spot on the image next to lights at night) is gone on the Pixel 8 Pro, and overall images are just a bit better all around compared to the previous model.
For some reason, however, Google just cannot fix the terrible looking Portrait Mode shots. That’s been a persistent issue in the last few generations of Pixel phones, and Portrait Mode photos on the Pixel 8 Pro range from slightly bad to just-delete-this-image immediately. At this point, it feels smarter to just take a regular picture and apply a background blur as an edit afterwards in Google Photos.
But what’s truly exciting is the inclusion of AI-powered image and video editing features like Magic Editor, Best Take, and Audio Magic Eraser. Later on in December, Google is going to release a feature drop adding Zoom Enhance and Video Boost with Night Sight. Here’s what all these do:
![Magic editor allows you to move and resize objects - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_816_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Magic editor allows you to move and resize objects
- Magic Editor – announced earlier in 2023, this new feature leverages generative AI to enable next-level image editing. You can move, resize, or delete objects or people in the shot. Replacing the sky is also an option if you feel like it.
- Best Take – this is a feature designed specifically for group shots, the goal being to get a photo where everyone looks their best. For it to work, you need several takes of the same scene. Best Take then analyzes all available takes and lets you replace any face with one from a different frame.
![Audio Magic Eraser reduces noise in videos - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_405_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Audio Magic Eraser reduces noise in videos
- Audio Magic Eraser – a feature that separates different sound types, such as noise, music, and speech. You can then adjust their volume individually.
- Zoom Enhance – Coming in December of 2023, this feature delivers the kind of zoom enhancements you’d typically see in the movies. It intelligently sharpens details in images using generative AI.
- Video Boost – Also scheduled to launch in December of 2023, this is a new kind of video processing from Google. If enabled, this will upload your video to Google’s servers for processing. We’re not sure how long the optimization process will take, but the results should be improved dynamic range, colors, and detail in any light. Using Video Boost in low light also enables Night Sight for Video for brighter, clearer low-light videos.
Video Quality
![Video Thumbnail](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_606_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
The Pixel 8 Pro brings a few significant improvements to video quality, but the one we are most happy to see is that the lens flare issue from the previous model is fixed. Videos even at night look clean and stable, and the 5X zoom camera does an excellent job and we would say it’s less noisy than the one on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but on the downside, it has just slightly less capable stabilization.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Performance & Benchmarks
![Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_629_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
Tensor chips have never stood out with raw processing power, typically lagging behind Qualcomm’s best Snapdragons and Apple’s A-series chips. But the Tensor series is optimized for performing AI tasks faster, and with the Tensor G3, Google aims to bring more of the required AI computations on device, generative AI included, instead of relying on computing in the cloud. The chip also comes with the latest generation of ARM CPUs, an upgraded GPU, and a new ISP and Imaging DSP.
But again, do these performance gains bring it on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple’s A17 Pro chips? Not at all! The S23 Ultra is nearly 60% faster initially and still 20% faster after 20 minutes, and similarly for the iPhone. The Pixel is still not quite a top-level gaming phone, but at least it’s a decent improvement over the last year model.
There are four Pixel 8 Pro storage options to pick from. The base 128GB model may be the cheapest at $999, but we’d recommend spending an extra $60 and getting the 256GB variant instead. 512GB and 1TB options are also available for $1,179 and $1,399, respectively.
Pixel 8 Pro Thermometer
![The Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro (Image credit - PhoneArena) - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_396_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
The Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro (Image credit – PhoneArena)
This one’s a quirk, definitely, and to be honest, I did not find a single good use for a thermometer. In a poll we ran, 55% of 1,300 respondents say they don’t need a thermometer on their phone, so it’s definitely not a super popular feature, but still 45% said they would like to have one and it could have its uses in certain situations.
It’s also frustrating that in the Thermometer app, you don’t get a visual indication of whether that infrared beam has hit the exact spot you need, so if you are trying to measure a tiny object, chances are you can easily miss it. And remember: measuring body temperature is NOT an option at this time – a pending FDA approval is expected to allow that. And with such close range, we definitely don’t recommend stunts such as measuring the temperature of a fireplace! Overall, I’m not sold on this at all, but your mileage may vary.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Android version
Generative AI wallpapers – This feature draws an entirely new and unique wallpaper following a set of text instructions. No art skills required!
You don’t have complete freedom, unfortunately, probably to prevent AI from blushing from certain inevitable requests. There’s a limited number of scenes, styles, objects and materials you can mix, and the text input cannot be in free form. Still, this one’s a lot of fun to play with.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Battery
Solid battery life, but not quite in 2-day territory
![The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery (Image credit - PhoneArena) - Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_650_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery (Image credit – PhoneArena)
Enabling Extreme Battery Saver stretches the number up to 72 hours, but this mode reduces the phone’s performance and functionality, so having it on all the time isn’t practical. Use that only when you really have to.
PhoneArena Battery Test Results:
The Pixel 8 Pro got me through a day of even more intense use, and usually around a day and a half.
In our YouTube video streaming test, for example, you can see it outperforms the competition easily, but on the lighter web browsing test it has worse scores. Overall, think somewhere around 7 hours of screen time, give or take, which we would say is just a bit worse than an iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S23 Ultra, but not by much.
However, we noticed that in regular room temperature, the phone would sometimes get warm and slow down the charging significantly. When placed in a colder spot, it cools down and charging speeds go back up, but that is definitely something to keep in mind.
PhoneArena Charging Test Results:
Wireless charging peaks at 23W, but only if you use Google’s own Pixel Stand (2nd gen). We guess that has to do with heat again, and the Pixel Stand 2nd Gen does come with a built-in fan. You’ll be getting only up to 12W speeds with regular Qi chargers that support EPP (Extended Power Profile). As expected, reverse wireless charging is also available.
Google Pixel 8 Pro Competitors and Verdict
![Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: More AI tricks and gradual improvements all around](https://wikidollar.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1697176345_157_Google-Pixel-8-Pro-Review-More-AI-tricks-and-gradual.jpg)
With its large screen size, extensive set of camera capabilities, and a starting price of $999, the Pixel 8 Pro is going against rivals like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Both of these are great phones by brands with loyal following, so attracting buyers to join team Google will be quite the challenge.
Still, Google’s best phone yet offers an impressive set of features, specs, and exclusive extras at a competitive price. It’s in a good position to end up in many buyers’ shopping carts this holiday season – so long as no software glitches or hardware issues don’t spoil the latest Pixel phone launch, and based on our experience so far, we haven’t seen anything troubling.
As for the new AI tricks, they are neat little improvements, but would you really buy a new phone because it could swap a face on a picture? The thermometer is another addition that a large majority of people won’t care about. But the overall gradual improvements – the faster speed, the improved camera quality, and the brighter screen – are the feature that stand out the most. And of course, talk about setting a new standard with software updates! Seven years!
At the end of the day, the Pixel 8 Pro is about gradual improvements to a device that has been one of the top three phones out there. It’s an easy recommendation. However, there is still no one big new feature to really stand out and Google might need something big to convince Galaxy users and iPhone users to switch.